Characteristics of FTP

What is File Transfer Protocol?

FTP is a standard communication protocol. There are various other protocols like HTTP which are used to transfer files between computers, but they lack clarity and focus as compared to FTP. Moreover, the systems involved in connection are heterogeneous, i.e. they differ in operating systems, directories, structures, character sets, etc the FTP shields the user from these differences and transfers data efficiently and reliably. FTP can transfer ASCII, EBCDIC, or image files. The ASCII is the default file share format, in this, each character is encoded by NVT ASCII. In ASCII or EBCDIC the destination must be ready to accept files in this mode. The image file format is the default format for transforming binary files....

Types of FTP

There are different ways through which a server and a client do a file transfer using FTP. Some of them are mentioned below:...

How Does FTP Work?

FTP is a client server protocol that has two communication channel, command channel for conversation control and data channel for file content....

Types of Connection in FTP

Control Connection Data Connection...

FTP Session

When an FTP session is started between a client and a server, the client initiates a control TCP connection with the server side. The client sends control information over this. When the server receives this, it initiates a data connection to the client side. But the control connection remains active throughout the user session. As we know HTTP is stateless . But FTP needs to maintain a state about its user throughout the session....

FTP Clients

FTP works on a client-server model. The FTP client is a program that runs on the user’s computer to enable the user to talk to and get files from remote computers. It is a set of commands that establishes the connection between two hosts, helps to transfer the files, and then closes the connection....

FTP Data Types

The data type of a file, which determines how the file is represented overall, is the first piece of information that can be provided about it. The FTP standard specifies the following four categories of data:...

FTP Replies

Some of the FTP replies are:...

Characteristics of FTP

FTP uses TCP as a transport layer protocol. It is good for simple file transfers, such as during boot time. Errors in the transmission (lost packets, checksum errors) must be handled by the TFTP server. It uses only one connection through well-known port 69. TFTP uses a simple lock-step protocol (each data packet needs to be acknowledged). Thus the throughput is limited....

FTP’s Security Issues

Information could not go across a secure tunnel since FTP was not intended to do so. Thus, encryption is not present. A hacker would not need to struggle with encryption to access or alter data that is usable if they could intercept an FTP transaction. Even with FTP cloud storage, data can still be intercepted and misused if the service provider’s system is attacked. As a result, data sent via FTP is a target for spoofing, sniffing, brute force, and other types of attacks that move somewhat slowly. A hacker might examine an FTP transmission and try to take advantage of any flaws by simply port scanning. The fact that FTP uses clear-text passwords—passwords that haven’t been encrypted—is one of its main security flaws. Put differently, “Jerry1992” appears exactly like “Jerry1992.” The real password is hidden via an algorithm in more secure protocols. As a result, “Jerry1992” might appear as “dj18387saksng8937d9d8d7s6a8d89.” Passwords like this are not secured by FTP, which makes them more easily cracked by malicious actors....

Advantages of FTP

File sharing also comes in the category of advantages of FTP in this between two machines files can be shared on the network. Speed is one of the main benefits of FTP. Since we don’t have to finish every operation to obtain the entire file, it is more efficient. Using the username and password, we must log in to the FTP server. As a result, FTP might be considered more secure. We can move the files back and forth via FTP. Let’s say you are the firm manager and you provide information to every employee, and they all reply on the same server....

Disadvantages of FTP

File size limit is the drawback of FTP only 2 GB size files can be transferred. More then one receivers are not supported by FTP. FTP does not encrypt the data this is one of the biggest drawbacks of FTP. FTP is unsecured we use login IDs and passwords making it secure but they can be attacked by hackers....

Difference Between FTP and SFTP

FTP SFTP It stands for File Transfer Protocol. It stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol. In FTP, secure channel is not provided to transfer the files between the hosts. In SFTP, a secure channel is provided to transfer the files between the hosts. It usually runs on port no-21. It usually runs on port no-22. It does not encrypt the data before sending It encrypted data before sending. It makes uploading and downloading of files without any security. It maintains full security of the data by using SSH keys....

Frequently Asked Questions on File Transfer Protocol – FAQs

Differentiate between FTP and SFTP?...